A Toronto police officer who was taking a lunch break during practice was shot dead in Mississauga by a suspect who was later taken into custody after a second fatal shooting in Hamilton, authorities said at a news conference Thursday night.
another one person was injured in Mississauga. The suspect fled to Milton and is believed to have shot three other people, killing one, police said.
Officer Andrew Hong, 48, of the Toronto Police Traffic Unit, was shot at close range and died at the scene. Chief James Ramer told reporters. "This is devastating news for his family and all members of the Toronto Police Service and our entire police community," the Chief said.
"We will work to support Constable Hong’s family and each other in our grief. Hong leaves behind his wife and two children. He had been in the department for 22 years.
Peel Regional Police in Mississauga previously said they were called to the scene of a shooting that occurred at the intersection of Argentia Road and Winston Churchill Boulevard, where two people were shot dead just after 2:00 p.m.
The victim brought in hospital had "life-changing injuries" and were at the centre of trauma, regional police chief Peel Nishan Duraiappah said at the briefing. He called the officer's shot an ambush. Three people shot dead in Bronte Street after the suspect fled. To the south in neighboring Milton, Halton County Police said.
One person was pronounced dead at the scene and two others were taken to hospital, according to police. The requirements are not immediately available. "We believe this is the same suspect involved in the shooting here in Mississauga," Duraiappah said. The suspect, who Peel police said was dressed in all black in a yellow construction vest, was taken into custody, according to Halton County Police
Both law enforcement agencies said they are investigating the connection between the two incidents and believe the same individual is involved. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau tweeted about the Ontario shooting Monday night. "My thoughts and those of many others are with all those who knew the officer who was killed on duty in Mississauga today," Trudeau tweeted. “We are also thinking of those injured in today's shooting.
Mississauga and Hamilton are not far west of Toronto